HS football: Wildcats up for next challenge

By
Jay Pinsonnault

Posted Sep 11, 2018 at 2:06 PMUpdated Sep 11, 2018 at 2:07 PM

A host of York players, including Derek Goldberg (81), Jake Nelson (84) and Connor Daley (23), converge on the Fryeburg ball carrier during Friday night's Class C South football game at York High School. [Ryan O'Leary/Seacoastonline]▲

YORK -- The York High School football team, coming off its first loss of the season last Friday, has a tough test waiting for it this week as undefeated Gardiner comes to town on Friday.

The Tigers are one of two remaining undefeated teams in Class C South and have put up 69 points in their first two games of the season -- a 34-7 win over Morse on opening night, and then a 35-30 win at home over Winslow last Friday.

"We're excited to have another opportunity to have the challenge of them coming down," York first-year head coach Matt Nelson said. "It's going to be a big test for us and I think the kids will respond well. We had a good film session on Monday, and we're looking forward to getting after it."

Gardiner rallied in the final seconds on Friday as quarterback Sean Michaud scored on an 8-yard run for the win. Gardiner faced a fourth-and-22 from their own 35 with 20 seconds left, but Michaud and Matt Boynton connected on a 46-yard pass, giving the Tigers new life.

"(Michaud) has the capability to run the ball as well," Nelson said. "We have to be disciplined on our tackles."

Cameron Michaud ran for 148 yards and two touchdowns in Gardiner's win over Morse, while Garrett Maheux had 59 yards on six carries. Sean Michaud was just 2 for 3 for 53 yards in the air. For the season, Michaud is 5 for 14 for 141 yards.

"(Gardiner) likes to run the ball," Nelson said. "They like to play smashmouth football. Defensively, we have to try and match their intensity. Both their backs are hard runners; they keep their feet moving. Very rarely does one person tackle them, they are tough runners."

The Wildcats will be without two starting offensive linemen Friday night as seniors Jake Bastarche (arm) and Mike Robidoux (knee) are out with injuries.

"We're going to have to need our young guys to come in and step up," Nelson said.

Class of Class C South

Leavitt is the only other undefeated team in Class C South, posting wins over Maine Central Institute (28-0) and Yarmouth (46-8).

Leavitt is at Cape Elizabeth (1-1) on Friday.

Gray-New Gloucester, Lake Region, Morse and Yarmouth are still looking for their first conference wins; only Morse remains on York's schedule.

Coach shows confidence

York successfully converted a fourth-and-4 on its second drive of the night in its season opener at Gray-New Gloucester.

Nelson once again showed in Friday's loss against Fryeburg Academy that he is not afraid to roll the dice and go for it on fourth down, especially early on in the game.

The Wildcats had a fourth-and-8 from the Fryeburg 34 when sophomore Teagan Hynes connected with senior Shane Pidgeon for an 11-yard pick-up, extending the Wildcats' drive.

York was faced with another fourth down three plays later, a fourth-and-7 from the Raiders' 20. Once again, Nelson elected to go for it, but a Hynes to Jake Nelson reception went for no gain and York turned the ball over on downs.

Pidgeon ended up with seven catches for 94 yards, while Edminster had two catches for 38 yards.

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